Weakened smoking ban moves on ladened with amendments

The Indiana Senate passed House Bill 1149, the smoking ban bill, today on second reading. On the Senate floor, the bill received a number of amendments, effectively weakening the bill. The bill arrived from the House and passed the Senate Committee on Public Policy with exemptions for gaming facilities, cigar and hookah bars and private clubs. The bill also included a 16-month exemption for bars and taverns.

Amendments that were added to the bill during Senate action today included:

The legislation now moves for a final up or down vote on the Senate floor tomorrow. If the bill passes the Senate, it will return to the House where the bill’s author will either concur or dissent to the Senate changes.